There isn't much I can say as the clips speak for themselves. Daft Punk has the best stage set up and visual display that any act in the past or present has ever created. It is a complete audio/visual mindblower and they are finally playing more than just a couple dates in the US! I am seeing them in Seattle and then again at Lollapalooza.

To top that off, we are DJ'ing right before the Robot Rockin' French filter house masters at the Camp Bisco festival.... OK, not really, but our friends Future Rock are playing a set under the name "DAFT ROCK" at Camp Bisco this August in New York and we are DJ'ing right before them!!! Last year Future Rock did a set as "Aphex Rock" which was all Aphex Twin tracks and this year they are playing an entire set of Daft Punk tunes. We are sandwiched between Juan Maclean and Daft Rock so we are very, very excited to be playing this fantastic festival for the third year in a row. I am also extremely excited to finally get to see The Bays live as they are also playing Camp Bisco as well as countless other bands, DJs, and electronic acts.

Thursday, June 07, 2007

This DJ mix is one of my favorite DJ mixes ever and a major factor in that is the high level of respect I have for the understanding of the opening act's role. In this case it is DJ INC and this is the second time I have posted about this particular mix (which I heard again today for the first time in ages). What to play, how to play, when to play it, these are questions that we (Orchard Lounge) often ask ourselves when asked to open for somebody. There are many DJs (and bands as well, but I am taking the DJ's stance this time...nawmsayin?) who do not alter their sound or take into account their role for the night when asked to warm up.

I guess I just do not personally see the need to bang it out as hard as you can when the doors open and the headliner doesn't start for a good 3 hours, but that's just me (or is it?) In my opinion, and yes, this is all personal opinion, the opening DJ that understands their role should set the tone for the evening. I personally think it is best when the vibe starts out slow and mellow and gradually picks up pace. As the room begins to fill and the drinks are flowing, the music gains momentum. Those first few hours of the night make a huge difference if played properly and the crowd is properly prepped for the headlining act to hit the decks. There is no need to overpower the headliner when you are booked to warm up for them and that also can annoy the crowd who may not want to listen to 3 hours of heaviness early on. I could insert some sort of sex analogy right here but I will spare you.

This set by Atlanta local, DJ INC, is a perfectly programmed and flawlessly mixed warm up set for Lee Burridge. I think the set is from 10/24/04 but I may have the dates confused. This is the first hour of the night so it is on the minimal, dubby side, a few hours before getting heavy. He uses one of my favorite Big Bud tracks which is not something you hear often in this style. This mix has always inspired me and influenced me in how I think when opening for a DJ or band.

Monday, May 14, 2007

Pete Tong himself says that this is a contender of the Essential Mix of the year and I can't see how this could not be. This installment of the DJ series is simply amazing from the first track to the final minutes. The dynamic production duo from Norway prove they are just as commanding of a dancefloor as they are behind the controls in the studio. Lindstrom did play a live set as part of an Orchard Lounge night in Chicago at Funky Buddha Lounge earlier this year which was a rare appearance and a very memorable night for Spencer. Here he proves that with Prins Thomas along for the ride and doing a DJ set, not a live set, it is every bit as solid. They also have a new release coming soon titled "Reinterpretations" so be on the lookout for that one.

Saturday, April 14, 2007

I was just turned on to this amazing, extremely rare live Kraftwerk recording and I wanted to share it with you. The lineup is different and includes members of Neu! and has a very different sound than typical early Kraftwerk. It sounds very much like Can with the guitar driven lengthy Krautrock jams.

"There isn't any extra information about this unofficial release either in the liner notes or on the interweb thing - however, as you listen it becomes obvious that this is indeed a recording of the rather short-lived lineup of Kraftwerk that includes Michael Rother and Klaus Dinger in its ranks! That's right - Neu! as part of Kraftwerk!!!

"It's basically a whole CD of extended "side-long" jams in the style of the first Kraftwerk albums performed in front of a small but enthusiastic audience and broadcast on Bremen Radio in 1971. The members of Neu! really take a forward role here, with Rother's guitar driving things for most of the time and sounding quite rocking, with glimpses of his future soaring melodic sound in the extended jam passages. The guitar and drums are backed up by synth and I believe organ bass, with notable exceptions of flute taking the forefront on the great version of Ruckzack (from the first Kraftwerk LP) and is it distorted electric violin on K4? Maybe just Rother taking a violin bow to his guitar strings! Proto-Kraftwerk and proto-Neu! It's exciting stuff, and on top of that the sound quality is excellent - a professional radio recording.

"How has this recording not become better known over the past 35 years since it was made?! I don't know. It appears to be a newly released CDR edition with good-quality (but privately printed) packaging. Maybe it has stayed in the Radio Bremen archives until now? If you're sceptical about the authenticity I'm sure a listen will persuade you... and hearing someone in the crowd shout "Michael!" in the last second of the recording is the icing on the cake." - Little Bear [who shared the recording on the internet]

This isn’t the motorik, some might even say monotonous, electronic sound of Kraftwerk. Early Kraftwerk were more experimental with sounds and effects - not quite dance music.

Friday, April 06, 2007

I used to have this video on a mix-tape VHS compilation of random videos and live footage from the 80's and early 90's. Most of it was Yo! Mtv Raps stuff but I also had New Order videos. "The Perfect Kiss" was directed by Jonathon Demme and is nothing more than the band playing live in the studio. Never been one of my favorite New Order songs but this video makes up for that. What I love about the video is how it shows the band playing and incorporating all of the different sounds by making it seem like they are following the steps in order to build the beat. One by one the layers continue until the end where it builds to a climax. The video is on youtube and it is the full 10 minute version which has a long jam at the end. Some extremely cheesy synth effects of course but that is standard for the time. The part that always kills me are the closeup shots of Peter Hook's basslines. I have always loved Peter Hook and the tone of his bass. 20 years ago some of the bands were on a similar quest for new sounds.

I highly recommend the DVD set New Order released titled "Item". They have so many great videos and also such an interesting history dating back to the Joy Division days. ITEM has 2 dvds, one with all of their videos and the other a documentary on the band. I just watched it this week and really enjoyed it. Info -HERE

Also check out the fantastic animated video which used the track "Elegia"...HERE

Sunday, March 18, 2007

This is a clip of the 2020 Soundsystem set from Sonar which is included as the second disc of the "No Order" LP. 2020 SoundSystem is a live act comprised of producers off of the highly regarded electronic/house label, 2020 Vision Recordings. Label head and insanely good DJ, Ralph Lawson, along with Silver City and Dubble D are 2020 SoundSystem.

This is what it's all about. I have been a lover of the 20:20 Vision label for as long as I have been being records. Always been one of my favorites and I highly respect all of the producers on that label. Random Factor's "Convergence" was my #1 LP of the year in 2004, Spirit Catcher has a hot new one out, and the countless 12" blazers that they contantly put out. Now the ball is rolling with having their live act, 2020 SoundSystem, hit the US. They play for gigantic crowds overseas at some of the world's finest festivals and the dancefloors will explode when they come this way. I was given some live footage that I will be sharing on this site in multiple installments. I will add some to youtube but what I have linked is an mp4 clip that can be upped to a video ipod.

Ralph Lawson, 2020 Vision label head and dj/keys in 2020ss also just mixed the latest Fabric mix, Fabric 33. I can't stop listening to it and I think it is one of the series best mixes. www.fabriclondon.com for more info

As soon as I heard this I wanted to send this link to a few of you in particular! The Disco Biscuits have always played interesting cover songs. From Coltrane to Zappa and the Beastie Boys but I don't think any band would, has, or ever even thought of....playing a vitual Bar-Mitzvah techno jam.

Well, sort of

What happened was the band was playing a festival called Langerado which took place recently in Florida. Matisyahu, who is possibly better known for being a hasidic jew than a reggae singer, was also on the bill. The Biscuits dropped into a dub style jam which apparently drew Matisyahu in and ask if he could sit in.

He said:"My friends and I walked over to the Disco Biscuits set and I just felt the fire. The music sounded so good I just wanted to rock it. I made my way up to the front and asked to sit-in. It was a magical moment, the band was on fire and I was on fire. It was super cool."

They ended up playing a dubby electronic sounding jam and Matisyahu freestyled over it all. He sounded great with the band and I can only imagine how the crowd must have felt. The interesting part of his improvisational vocal stylings was his hook....SHEMA YISSSSSSSSSSSSRAEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!Saying those words in the same paragraph as "techno", "jamband", and of course "disco biscuits" is something that just wouldn't happen, let alone seeing it live.

Monday, February 05, 2007

I have been having server issues as well as problems with this site so I apologize for the lack of new posts. I am trying to sort it all out and you can expect a ton of new posts because I am fully loaded with new music to share with all of you.

Here is a youtube of one of my favorite jams by The Disco Biscuits. It was from their excellent fall 2000 tour which was a tour I have always loved. This is a great version of "helicopters" and it features a guitar effect that I just can't get enough of!

Friday, January 05, 2007

This new band is a super group that I never could have dreamed of. Surely this will be the next big thing when the album drops and to prove it, here is one of the tracks. With a lineup as this impressive I can't see how the final product could be anything short of brilliant. From the bit I have heard it struck me as the love child of The Beatles and Gorillaz, especially on the track "Kingdom of Doom".The Good, The Bad, and The Queen

Wikipedia dropping the knowledge:

"The group, which consists of Albarn, The Clash's bassist Paul Simonon, former The Verve guitarist Simon Tong (who also played guitar during Blur's Think Tank tour following Graham Coxon's departure, and played guitar for Gorillaz on their "Demon Days" album) and Afrobeat pioneer and Africa 70 drummer Tony Allen, released and deleted their first single, "Herculean" on 30 October 2006 (see 2006 in British music). The single followed the band's appearance at the BBC's Electric Proms season at the redeveloped The Roundhouse in Camden on 26 October. Three warm-up gigs in East Prawle at the Pig's Nose Inn, Ilfracombes Marlboro Club and The Exeter Cavern Club preceded the Electric Proms gig. The second major gig of the band's career took place on 12th December 2006, at Wilton's Music Hall in East London. It was witnessed by 300 specially selected fans, as the launch gig of MySpace's The List. The band will release a second single, "Kingdom of Doom", a week prior to the release of their debut album, The Good, the Bad and the Queen in January 2007. The album was produced by Danger Mouse, and features songs about London."